3D Printing Enabled Highly Scalable Tubular Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cells

Protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) are clean and efficientpowergeneration devices operating at intermediate temperatures. However,manufacturing difficulties have limited their commercialization, especiallyfor promising tubular PCFCs. Herein, we report a cost-effective 3Dprinting technique for manufacturing large-area tubular PCFCs (e.g.,15.7 cm(2)), featured with the use of commercial raw materials,a small amount of binder, and a CO2 laser for rapid insitu drying. The technical advantages enable low-cost material preparationand efficient achievement of exemplary shape/dimension-controlleduniform microstructures in porous anode support, dense electrolyte,and porous cathode. The 3D-printed tubular PCFC (& SIM;12.5 cm(2)) exhibits a power output of 2.45 W at 650 & DEG;C. Meanwhile,the long-term stability is confirmed during 200 h of operation. Thisnovel 3D printing offers great potential to advance PCFCs from thelaboratory to larger scales for realistic applications.

Automated summary

This study presents a cost-effective 3D printing technique for manufacturing large-area tubular PCFCs, allowing for low-cost material preparation and achieving exemplary shape/dimension-controlled uniform microstructures. The 3D-printed tubular PCFC exhibits a high power output and long-term stability, indicating its potential for realistic applications and scale-up.